Even those who usually criticize the Russian political elite are celebrating the annexation of Crimea, says Neeme Raud, ERR's Moscow correspondent.

He said Moscow is celebrating the signing of the unification treaty on March 18 last year more than the actual much lamented referendum.

“The event is talked about as 'reunification with the motherland' and ' restoring historic justice,' as opposed to 'occupation', the preferred term in Estonia,” Raud said.

He said even opposition leader Alexei Navalny has justified the move. “So for Russians it is an important topic. One of the main positives which is attributed to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is the reunification of Crimea.”

Speaking about Putin's recent disappearance act, Raud said the Kremlin has become more closed to the media. He said rumors ranged from illness to taking time off to evaluate the political situation after the murder of Boris Nemtsov, which according to Raud, led to some demanding the head of Ramzan Kadyrov.